Pic by: Deekshit D V

Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Mar 27: MLA and the deputy leader of the Congress Legislature Party in the state legislative assembly U T Khader vehemently defended former chief minister Siddaramaiah on his statement on swamijis and said, " Siddaramaiah has respect for all religious heads. But, the leaders of BJP are twisting his statements and misleading the people of the state."

Answering the questions of media personnel at Circuit House here on Sunday, March 27, Khader said, " Siddaramaiah is close to swamijis. When he ruled the state for five years as chief minister, no protests took place against the government. The Siddaramaiah's government dropped the Karnataka Anti Superstition Bill but the BJP government has passed the bill."

Also, Khader said that the Congress government during Siddaramaiah's rule had increased tasteeq allowance to the Hindu priests. But, the BJP government which is in power now has not increased a single penny in tasteeq allowance. Prices for petrol, diesel, and cooking gas are skyrocketing, hence to divert people's attention, BJP is creating confusion by misleading the people, he alleged.

When asked about the SSLC examinations on Monday amid confusions over Hijab, U T Khader said, "Lakhs of students are going to write the SSLC exam tomorrow. Students should write exams very peacefully. Even educational institutions should provide a good atmosphere for the students without any kind of mental pressure. Everyone should follow the court order. Education is very important. Education for girls is very essential. Even the religious have appealed that there should not be any kind of conflict against the government or the court. Already, an appeal has been made before the Supreme Court. The court will uphold justice," Khader said.

Khader also said that when he was urban development minister for the state, he had plans to develop the mutton slaughterhouse in the city with an intention of providing clean and hygienic meat but the BJP had opposed this. "It is the responsibility of the government to provide hygienic mutton to the people. As there is some problem in a slaughterhouse and hygiene is not maintained, the Pollution Control Board had asked MCC to shut it down. Either the MCC should develop and maintain good hygiene in the slaughterhouse or shift it to a good place in the city."